"I shall place them in my portman-tell," said Gashwiler, suiting the
word to the action, "for safe keeping. I need not inform you, who are
now, as it were, on the threshold of official life, that perfect and
inviolable secrecy in all affairs of State"--Mr. G. here motioned toward
his portmanteau as if it contained a treaty at least--"is most essential
and necessary."
Dobbs assented. "Then my duties will keep me with you here?" he asked
doubtfully.
"No, no," said Gashwiler hastily; then, correcting himself, he added:
"that is--for the present--no!"
Poor Dobbs's face fell. The near fact was that he had lately had notice
to quit his present lodgings in consequence of arrears in his rent, and
he had a hopeful reliance that his confidential occupation would carry
bread and lodging with it. But he only asked if there were any new
papers to make out.
"Ahem! not at present; the fact is I am obliged to give so much of my
time to callers--I have to-day been obliged to see half a dozen--that
I must lock myself up and say 'Not at home' for the rest of the day.
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